Global Lightning ImageGlobal lightning strikes from January 1998 to present day from the NASA/MSFC Lightning Imaging Sensor

Dataset Descriptions and Ordering Information

The data collected by Lightning Team instruments is archived and cataloged by the Global Hydrology Resource Center where it is made available free of charge (see below) . Some datasets also have additional software packages available. Information on these software packages is in the documentation provided by the GHRC.

NOTE: Most data sets have browse images which are created as soon as possible after initial data ingest. As time allows, quality control procedures are performed, especially on satellite datasets. QC refers to data which has been through quality control procedures, while Non QC refers to "non quality controlled" for which only the browse images have been generated. Where possible, we have provided both.

Data can be ordered free of charge from the GHRC through HyDRO, the GHRC's online data ordering system, or by contacting the GHRC User Services Office. Please note that not all datasets archived by the GHRC are from the Lightning Team. Most datasets are available in several media forms, including digital tape and FTP download, and are available in compressed or uncompressed formats. Most datasets are stored in HDF (Hierarchical Data Format) files. Information about this format is available from the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the URL http://hdf.ncsa.uiuc.edu/. NCSA provides a public domain library supporting HDF on a wide variety of computer platforms.